Lesson 498

(Lesson 498)(12-27-12) 2 Corinthians 8:1-14, "Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:"

In this lesson, Paul uses the generous example of the Macedonians to teach the Corinthians about caring for, and giving to those in need. He explained that the Macedonians had, without question, given himself and the other evangelists all they had needed, and more.
Paul also makes it clear that giving is not a commandment of God, it is simply an expression of love from one child of God to his/her fellow man/woman, "I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love."
There are many who will disagree with the actuality of what the latter portion of this text teaches, but herein, Paul is simply preaching communal living. He is instructing the "haves", not just to give what is needed to those with less, he says they should share to a point of equality with the "have nots".
What a blessed world we would live in if everyone loved enough to equally share all that they own. In this land of overabundance, there would be no hunger, everyone would be equally cared for.
If we only had enough faith, we could give away everything we own every day, and still have more than enough. ~